Holders France kick-start their 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign against Australia in Group D, just as they did four years ago in Russia. However, their squad is vastly different from the side that won the title last time around.
Didier Deschamps’ side has been plagued by injuries in the lead-up to the tournament. This has forced Deschamps to put his trust in Les Bleus’ youth with the likes of Dayot Upamecano, Ibrahima Konate and William Saliba in the back-line.
Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga will have to shoulder a lot of the responsibility in midfield for the defending champions.
Kylian Mbappe will hope to reignite his connection with Olivier Giroud in the forward line.
Australia will be playing in their fifth consecutive World Cup. The last time these two sides met in the World Cup, France edged them out in a nervy 2-1 win in Kazan.
